A surgery can be life changing, and the recovery process can vary from person to person. Whether it’s a hip replacement, knee replacement, or anywhere else in your body, physical therapy can help! Physical therapy can be vital in the healing process for many reasons. It increases blood flow, flexibility, range of motion, and it can even discourage scar tissue from forming. The many benefits combine to contribute to an overall lack of pain coming out of recovery. When there is less pain and swelling, a patient does not need to use as many pain killers or other extra medication to cope post-operation. Instead you can have a shorter recovery time, increased mobility, and more money in your pocket!
Once you master your mobility, a physical therapist can assess your needs and show you how to potentially alter your everyday activities to make your days of recovery easier. A physical therapist can show you how to correctly get out of bed, lean down to the bottom shelf of a grocery store, and guide you through the best ways of navigating to not only heal quicker but prevent complications in the future!
Without the necessary movement, stretching, and exercises after surgery, a patient’s condition could continue to get worse. The lack of blood flow and increased risk of scar tissue development makes the muscles stiff and immobile, making the site of surgery weaker than before. As a result, a patient’s weaker muscles make it a harder transition to normalcy, and could impact them negatively down the road. Instead of coming out of any surgery feeling defeated, weak, or discouraged, physical therapy can bring you back to your daily life, new and improved!
